Hi all Some of you may remember about 12 years ago when a South African women's soccer team came and stayed at Battle Road Farm, where I was living at the time. Remember the women coming off of busses and carrying their belongings on their heads? Our amazing community opened up their homes to allow these women to stay in a community-they stayed 2 at a home, sharing meals with the hosts, having community dinners in the field and being able to rest after playing in the Veteran's Cup soccer tournament in Fitchburg. These women were all older, Grannies, and from rural South Africa. They had begun to play soccer for health reasons, to help decrease their high blood pressure, obesity and get better fit. They also found a community-where they could share stories and have help when needed. Not so different then all of us who play on adult league teams!
So fast forward 12 years and our Lexington based soccer team has continued to stay in touch with Beka, the originator of the Grannies. She has ballooned her vision to about 80 teams all over the African continent. She organized a Grannies Soccer tournament, in Limpopo South Africa, from which I have just returned. There were 16 teams- 3 from the USA, 1 from France, 8 from South africa, 2 from Mozambique and 2 from Zambia. All teams were over 55 years old. The joy, colors, entertainment were just unbelievable. Here are some links, enjoy! https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-team-joins-international-soccer-grannies-tournament/43391736 https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/international-grannies-football-tournament-kicks-off-in-limpopo/ Jean Duffy, one of my teammates, has been working on a book, for the last 8 years, about the Soccer Grannies and it is going to be published this month. Beka is coming over to the USA to do a book tour with her and will be in Lexington at the Cary Library (6/22) and in Sudbury at the Goodnow Library (6/21). The story is unreal! Jean has been able to weave history with the personal stories of some of the Grannies. If you would like to order it, see where the other book tour stops are or read a bit more about it you can go on her website- jeanduffy.com Our community is special. Opening your homes to strangers really shows the kind of place we live in. You all helped make this a reality 12 years ago. It was amazing to see how soccer for older women had developed in South Africa. No longer with giggles when they played. The stands were filled in Limpopo South Africa with news outlets from all over the world broadcasting it and telling stories. We couldn't even hear who was subbing in the fans were so loud! Thank you all! Heather Broglio
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